NEWS

Matt Gingera scores second hat trick in two games to help Snakes beat Augusta 4-2

on Jan 21, 2013

By Kathy Gierer, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Cottonmouths forward Matt Gingera accomplished a rare hockey feat in scoring back-to-back hat tricks and leading the Snakes to a 4-2 win over Augusta.

It's not the first time Gingera has scored three goals in successive games.

"It was in juniors," Gingera said. "I was going to quit the team. I decided to stay."

The streaking Gingera has now scored 15 points in his last 10 games and has 16 goals and nine assists in 21 games as a Cottonmouth.

Jordan Braid assisted on all three Gingera goals. The Braid-Gingera-John Sullivan has been the most productive scoring line for the Cottonmouths since it was assembled shortly after Gingera joined the team in early December. Sullivan was injured in Knoxville on Jan. 12. The injury is not as severe as originally thought and Sullivan could resume skating soon.

"We miss John," Gingera said. "He brings grit and hustles in the corners. But Derek (Pallardy) has done a good job finding us."

Cottonmouths coach Jerome Bechard couldn't recall ever seeing a player score a hat trick two games in a row.

"I don't think I have ever seen it," Bechard said. "Matt just has the touch from the blue line in. He's playing unbelievable hockey. He's got good hand-eye coordination and good sense."